Rock Harbor Fishing Report Cape Cod

Rock Harbor Fishing Report
By Capt. Hap Farrell

The bass are starting to make their move. They started up on top of Billingsgate Shoals, mainly on the west end. This is a good sign. They will be easier to keep track of and we'll be able to use different methods of fishing to hook up on them. I'm hoping we'll be able to use the hootchie with success and also single swimming plugs on mono. At least we won't have to use 400 feet of wire much more.
A number of people have asked me why the tube and worm has not been working very well this season. Well, in some cases it has worked, in deep water, sometimes in the inside hole, but for the most part there has not been much activity when using it. The reason is there has not been much of a worm hatch in the Bay. If there has been one it didn't amount to a hill of beans. Hopefully when the main body of bass move into the grass on the east end of the shoals this will change.


Not all of the bass have moved out of the deep water yet. Up off Great Island in 50 feet of water there are a number of good sized schools of mixed fish. Both bass and bluefish of all sizes can be found in these bunches. Jigging with extra long wire is the best method; however, a few big bass have taken single swimming plugs on mono mainly in the outriggers. I'm sure if you had the time you could do quite well trolling around with just hootchies or plugs on mono.
The Path hasn't had much attention. Not many of the charter boats have been up there. The last time I was up there was a month ago and I found a fair amount of bluefish and a few bass out in 25 feet of water. The umbrella rig worked for me but I'm sure jigging would work and probably hootchies on the mono. At any rate, the area is worth a look see. There are plenty of bluefish in the Sunken Meadow area, so that's a safe bet.
Where will the bass be during the next week? My guess would be on the shoals. I'd look in the middle and to the west end to start with. Next, I'd work the edge, around 20 feet of water, up to the northeast. If not there, in the grass on the east end of the shoals. Try jigging.